Post Christmas

 We all survived this Christmas.  The families received their presents in time, we got to see other family members before Christmas out doors (although the weather didn’t help very much). A catch up on the day itself over FaceTime and Zoom to wish everyone well, but apart from that it was a quiet one.  We’ve managed daily walks as the whether was lovely, if cold, over Christmas too.  

I made some presents but unfortunately I didn’t take photos of some of them! Two were a couple of crochet Teddies like the ones I made for Yarndale last year for Flo and Cecily, which I know they love and cuddle.  It’s such a lovely pattern and I enjoyed making them.  But I did take photos of other makes for them.  A book bag for Flo

And for Cecily I made some accessories for her play kitchen (which her parents bought her) of an apron, tea towels, dishcloth and oven gloves.

I also knitted a hat and gloves for my sister, but guess what, I didn’t take photos of those! 

David likes fingerless gloves and he already has a couple of pairs but another pair was welcomed.  It was knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners yarn in the Blue Tit colourway.  Everything matched up beautifully, even the tips of the fingers.

Here are the last 4 days of Advent that I posted on Instagram and Facebook 

Day 21

A double sided quilt as you go mat

Day 22

Advent stockings (though we use them as bunting, not for Advent presents

Day 23

Christmas coasters, made from folded squares of fabric.

And finally, Day 24

A Christmas table runner.  There, I made it to the 24th and I didn’t think I’d have enough to show on a daily basis when I suddenly decided to post the pictures on the 1st!  Now I’ve got another 11 months to think about next Christmas Advent!

I’m pleased that the lockdowns this year have given me time to read and made it almost part of my daily routine.  It may not sound much, but I’ve managed to read 18 books this year and started on the 19th one.  I seem to be quite diverse, as I’m trying all sorts of genres. From Jane Austin (Sense and Sensibility) to the Underground Railroad by Colson Whithead; A Vintage Summer by Cathy Bramley to The Miniaturist by Jessica Burton.  This time I’ve just finished My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal (about a boy in social care in the 1980’s, which is a TG book group book (a really good read) and just started Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson about villages in the turn of the last century. The book I bought secondhand a few years back in Billingshurst charity bookshop. 

In this funny time between now and New Year I’m thinking about projects for 2021 and finishing off one or two things, like my Sew 4 the Soul book which will be finished, and a bit of a clear up of my room.  Getting ready to be organised for the year ahead (that’s the plan anyway!)

Happy Christmas

 

HAPPY 

CHRISTMAS 

Wishing you all the best for Christmas and I will be back to post next week.

Sue xx

☃

Getting Closer

 Christmas seems to be an on/off affair, from saying that people can have a few days at Christmastime with family to only being able to celebrate on the day itself due to an increase in virus infections seems that the viral crisis will never end and will run well into next year.  So we don’t have firm arrangements for the day and will take things as they come.  Present buying is done and dusted so that’s a relief.

On one of our present swaps we met David’s brother as Mottisfont near Ramsey.  The weather was awful, but nevertheless we were able to visit the house, which only had the ground floor open.  The Christmas decorations were really lush. Please excuse the darkness of the pictures as flash can’t be used.  This is the Drawing Room, where the table was moved from the dining room.

The dining room had a really large Christmas tree

There were mice dotted around the house, like these little Christmas mice.

After having a really wet journey and visit to Mottisfont, on our way home the skies cleared and the sky turned this orange colour just as the sun is setting.

Here are a few pictures that I’ve shared on Instagram and Facebook of more handmade decorations, not in order though 

Day 18 - the hexie mat

Day 14 - 2 little cross stitch decorations

Day 17 - the Somerset Folded Christmas Pudding

Day 15 - Japanese folded decoration

Day 16 - Owl

Day 19 - Knitted snowman and robin

Day 20 the sock snowman.

I think I have just enough decorations to take me up to day 24.  I’m surprised how much I’ve made over the years that make their appearance just once a year.

Mid December and Nearly Christmas 🎄

 The time leading up to Christmas is ticking away. Organising Christmas presents shopping hasn’t been easy (was it ever, but this year has been challenging). In December there are birthdays and anniversaries ( including our own) to think about too.  

In contrast to other years when we’ve been away, this year we’ve stayed at home and just been out to dinner at a local pub restaurant, which was quiet and we were grateful we could manage to go out.

I can’t show a lot of making as some things are secret until Christmas. But what I can share are some photos that I’ve posted on Instagram of my handmade decorations. 

A bauble decoration made at Quarterjack Quilters several years ago

A bell decoration made at Barnsley Embroiderers about 10 years ago 

A sheep made from a Little Box of Crochet kit from 2 years ago, along with this Mandala below.

A Christmas wreath kit from Ashmead Designs, which must have been made 4 or 5 years ago.

It’s been enjoyable putting up the Christmas tree and seeing these decoration and ones we’ve bought on our travels over the years.

Like this photo with the crochet Christmas tree. Alongside that is a wooden peg decoration of a Green Bay Packer (that’s an American football team), which was bought on a holiday to US and Canada in 2000.

Hoping your preparations for Christmas are going well.

December 2020

 

Almost a week into December and gearing up towards Christmas.  Pudding and Mincemeat made, some online shopping made, Christmas trees put up and decorated.

I treated myself to a crochet fairy lights kit to join into a garland but I’m not sure it’ll be ready for this Christmas. This was from Lucy Locket Land and I bought the bright colours kit.

Last year I crocheted items on a daily basis during Advent which made the wreath that you can see at the top of this post.  This year I thought I would share daily photos of past makes on Instagram.  Below is a photo of the items I shared so far, first was the wreath.  The second day was a hanging .

It’s amazing just how many decorations have been gathered over the years.

On Friday evening David and I went to Swanage for a train ride on the Steam and Lights ride on Swanage Railway.  This was a special event for staff and volunteers on the railway just before the public services (which were sold out).

Here’s a few photos that I took while on the train (but you can see more on the Railway’s Facebook page).  These aren’t in order as I didn’t upload the photos one at a time (oops).  

Harmans Cross station 

The lights on the train carriage reflected on the trees by the line

These are the lit carriages in Swanage station

A decorated Corfe Castle station.

It was a good evening and such a change to go out with so much this year not taking place.

While in Swanage I took photos of the lights in town 

And at the station.

End of November

 November is birthday month in our family. My Mum, David and I all have birthdays this month, with mine being last Saturday.  I don’t often receive flowers, but had 3 lots this time, so the living room looks like a florists!

I got myself a birthday treat and bought a pouch from Mrs Moog  who makes these lovely Herdwick sheep pouches.

And it looks lovely with the other sheep on my sheep shelf.  It’s big enough for a bit of sock knitting or a similar small project.  

My sister gave me some local gin (made in Sherborne), really Christmassy, for which I bought some elderflower tonic to go with it.  Oh yes, and behind that is a small jar of marmalade infused with the gin, which is rather yummy too).

Now this time of year is about secret crafting so I can’t show much here. But I can share this

It’s a folder for my circular needles to keep them in order.

And it has 6  pockets with vinyl fronts. It’s a download pattern by Aneela Hoey called a Flip Pocket Folio.  I’ve used fabrics from stash, which I think is called Radiance for the cover and inside with a variety of Moda Grunge fabrics for the pockets and bindings. I also attempted to attach popper fastenings, which took a while getting to grips with.  Not perfect, but they work and I’m pleased with that.

While shopping in Sainsbury’s the other day I found amongst the small amount of sewing gifts for Christmas, some fat quarters of fabrics with a kitchen theme. The photos are the wrong way round, but anyway, the pack of 5 fat quarters has come in useful for making a toddler sized apron, a couple of ‘tea towels’, and I’ll make a pair of oven gloves.  These will be for my youngest granddaughter who will be getting a toy kitchen for Christmas.

I think that’s all for November, getting ready for Christmas and making a start on the pudding.  The fruit is soaking in citrus juice and Calvados overnight before I put the other ingredients in and cooking in the slow cooker tomorrow. The decorations will start coming down from the loft soon, though we’ve had a small string of fairy lights on the mantelpiece for several weeks to brighten things up.

Roll on December! 🎄